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Asthma Triggers1. Dust Mites and Dust Control
2. Rodents and Roaches
3. Pets and Asthma
4. Environmental Tobacco Smoke
5. Moisture and Ventilation
6. Exercise
7. Infections
8. Pollen
9. Air Pollution
10. Household Products and Air Fresheners
11. Behavior and Stress
12. Food Allergies
13. Diet
What are triggers?
Triggers are things that may bother the airways, making it hard to breathe or cause asthma signs or symptoms. Avoid your triggers whenever possible. Triggers can be different from person to person. Allergy testing can help you know what some of your triggers are.
If you are going to come into contact with a trigger you can take your albuterol inhaler 15-20 minutes before coming into contact with it to prevent an attack.
Triggers may include: • Cigarette smoke• Pollution• Strong odors• Cold, flu or sinus infections• Behavior: Exercise, laughing, crying • Changes in weather, hot or cold weather• Allergies to:
– Pets– Mold– Dust– Cockroaches– Rodents– Certain foods, medicines
Dust Mites and Dust Control
Why does it cause asthma attacks?
Dust mites and their droppings build up on sheets, blankets, mattress, pillows, stuffed toys, furniture and rugs
They are part of the house dust and are a normal part of life - every house has them
Their droppings can contribute to your asthma
What can I do?
Wash bedding at least every 2 weeks in hot water
Get rid of carpets and large rugs
Use special allergen proof covers for pillow, mattress and box springs
Remove shoes at the door
Wash and dry stuffed animals or place in freezer overnight every week
Vacuum weekly
Rodents and Roaches
Why does it cause asthma attacks?
Roach and mouse saliva, eggs, droppings, secretions, skin and their bodies can trigger asthma
Roaches and mice like wet and warm places and live in groups
Roaches and mice are attracted to water, food, shelter and warmth
What can I do?
Use baits and traps Clean up food spills, and
crumbs quickly Avoid eating in different rooms Take out trash every night Vacuum regularly Store food in sealed containers Clean up dishes after use, or
put in dishwasher after rinsing Put lid on trash can Contact landlord to repair large
gaps, holes in walls, leaky pipes, faucets, etc.
Pets and Asthma Why does it cause asthma
attacks?
Animal dander is dead skin cells from animals
People with asthma are allergic to dander, saliva or urine from furry or feathered pets
Dander sticks to clothes and hands
What can I do?
Get rid of the furry or feathered pet if you can
Choose pets without fur or feathers
Do not allow furry or feathered pets in the bedroom
Wash hands and change clothes after touching a pet or being in a house with a pet
Bathe the pet every week
Vacuum and clean pet sleeping and play areas often
Environmental Tobacco SmokeWhy does it cause asthma
attacks?
Smoke that smokers breathe out is called “secondhand smoke”
If you breathe secondhand smoke, it can cause health problems, such as asthma
The smoke irritates your lungs, and can increase your risk for asthma
What can I do?
Do not smoke in your home or car
Do not smoke in the presence of your children
Use a “smoking jacket” to smoke outside; remove the jacket before coming into the house
Do not let anyone else smoke in the presence of your children
Stop smoking
Moisture and VentilationWhy does it cause asthma
attacks?
Too much moisture in your home can increase dust mites, mold and roaches
This will increase your risk for asthma
Moisture can come from plumbing leaks, poor air circulation, flooding, sewer backups, etc.
The key to preventing mold is to reduce moisture!
What can I do to prevent mold growth?
Scour sinks and tubs every 2 weeks
Clean garbage cans frequently
Use exhaust fans or windows in the kitchen and bathroom (if no fan, keep door open after showering)
Clean up and fix leaks within 24 hours, call landlord if needed
Circulate fresh air in your home, let stale air out
Move furniture a few inches from the wall to let air circulate
Dry condensation on surfaces
Moisture and VentilationWhy does it cause asthma
attacks? Too much moisture in your
home can increase dust mites, mold and roaches
This will increase your risk for asthma
Moisture can come from plumbing leaks, poor air circulation, flooding, sewer backups, etc.
The key to preventing mold is to reduce moisture!
What can I do to clean up mold?
Wash mold off hard surfaces with laundry detergent or dishwashing soap, water and a scrub brush
Clean mold problem areas (where mold keeps growing because the area keeps getting wet) with a mixture of ¼ c. of bleach with 1 gallon of water
Vacuum and clean home weekly to remove mold spores
Throw away bedding, fabrics, ceiling tiles, boxes, drywall, etc. that have been wet for more than 2 days
ExerciseWhy does it cause asthma
attacks?
Exercise can trigger asthma attacks
Exercise is a very common asthma trigger, especially for children
Exercise builds healthy lungs and strong bodies.
Everyone with asthma should exercise!
What can I do?
Take albuterol 15-20 min before exercising
Warm-up and cool-down
Stop if coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or chest tightness occur
Exercise indoors on high pollution, high pollen, very hot or cold/dry days
Do less intensive exercise if you have recently had an asthma attack or are having mild symptoms
Tell your coach/PE teacher about your child’s asthma
InfectionsWhy do they cause asthma
attacks?
Any upper respiratory infections -- like a cold, the flu, or sinusitis -can affect your lungs causing inflammation and airway narrowing
What can I do?
Be aware of any asthma symptoms, even mild, so that you can contact your doctor and avoid a more serious asthma attack
Wash hands frequently
Get a flu shot every year to prevent infections that can trigger asthma
Keep breathing equipment clean
Clean surfaces, door handles, etc. regularly to reduce the spread of germs
PollenWhy does it cause asthma attacks?
Pollen is the powder made by flowers, trees, grasses and weeds
Pollen can trigger asthma symptoms in some people
What can I do?
Track daily pollen counts on the news or radio
Stay indoors during peak pollen times (5am – 10am and dry, windy days)
Close windows and use air conditioning in home and car on hot days if possible
Avoid fresh cut grass
Don’t hang clothes out to dry
Bathe each evening to wash pollen from your skin and hair
Change clothes before getting into bed
Air PollutionWhy does it cause asthma
attacks?
Air pollution can make it harder to breathe and can cause coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort, and a burning feeling in the lungs
Symptoms can begin up to a day after you have been in polluted air and can make you more sensitive to other triggers like mold or dust mites
What can I do?
Track air pollution levels on the news or radio
Stay indoors, close windows and use air conditioning in home and car on Code Red or Code Orange air quality days
Stay indoors and exercise indoors during peak pollution times (often afternoons and evenings on hot summer days)
Exercise away from busy roads or industrial areas
Household Products/Air FreshenersWhy do they cause asthma attacks?
Airborne chemicals and aromas can trigger asthma attacks
This include: paint, cooking fumes (especially when frying), cleaning supplies, smelly soaps and lotions, perfumes, hairspray, bleach, air fresheners, incense, scented candles, bug spray, etc.
What can I do?
Avoid using chemical cleaners and instead use vinegar, baking soda, Borax, and hot water to clean; use olive oil to polish furniture
Do not use perfumes, air fresheners, incense, bug spray or scented candles
If using bleach or other chemicals, be sure to open windows to ventilate and use the chemicals when the person with asthma is not at home
Use kitchen fan and/or window when cooking. Cook only when asthmatic child is not in the kitchen
Behavior and Stress
Why do they cause asthma attacks?
Crying, laughing and stressful situations can trigger asthma attacks and need to be managed just like other triggers
Stress increases inflammation in the body and lungs
Parents’ stress has been found to affect their asthma management efforts and their children’s asthma symptoms
What can I do?
Replace anxious thoughts with positive thoughts
Figure out what your stressors are and try to resolve them
You and your child should:
Exercise and eat a diet low in fat and sugar and rich in vegetables and fruits of a variety of colors
Get enough sleep
Recognize early asthma signs, avoid extreme reactions, and stay calm to help prevent a serious asthma attack
Food AllergiesWhy does it cause asthma
attacks?
Foods can trigger asthma attacks in allergic individuals
Common food allergies: sulfites (in dried fruit, wine), milk, eggs, nuts, fish, soy and wheat
What can I do?
Get allergy tested to help identify food allergies
Avoid foods that cause any negative physical reactions (be sure to read labels for “hidden” ingredients!)
Get an Epi-Pen from your health care provider to use in case of an allergic reaction that makes it difficult to breathe
Diet
Why does it cause asthma attacks?
Diets low in vitamins and high in fat have been associated with increased asthma symptoms and decreased response to asthma medications
Obesity is a risk factor for asthma
What can I do?
Eat a variety of different colors of fruits and vegetables every day
Eat calcium-rich foods (or foods fortified with calcium) several times a day such as milk, yogurt and cheese
Eat fish and low fat chicken, turkey and meat
Limit fried foods and sugar